Implant-supported mandibular denture: planning to delivery--a case report.

UNLABELLED: Restoring the edentulous mandible with a removable prosthesis can be a challenging prospect for both the dentist and patient during and after treatment. Poor retention and support are the major problems reported with a mandibular complete denture and these can be significantly improved with the use of implants and retentive attachments. Utilizing implants requires careful planning from both the surgical and restorative aspects to ensure that the intended treatment aim and outcome is achieved. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This case highlights the importance of both restorative and surgical considerations when planning the rehabilitation of the mandible with dental implants.

Long and short term management of implant-supported mandibular overdentures.

UNLABELLED: Common problems with the long term clinical use of implant-supported mandibular overdentures (ISMDs) include fractures of dentures, bars and clips, and reactivation of clips. Many general dental practitioners (GDPs) are reticent to be involved in the maintenance of ISMDs, especially if they have not had any further training or are unfamiliar with implant components and systems. This article highlights the need for the training of GDPs in maintenance and management of ISMDs as an increasing number of edentulous patients are being provided with ISMDs, resulting in an increasing need for the maintenance of the prosthesis in the primary care setting at a possible cost to the patient. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Implant-supported overdentures are becoming a common treatment option for edentulous patients, however, they are not without their clinical challenges, many of which can be easily rectified in a primary care environment, such as general practice.

The therapeutic use of botulinum toxin in cervical and maxillofacial conditions.

DATA SOURCES: Medline, Cochrane Library and bibliographies of identified articles. STUDY SELECTION: Studies of high methodological quality (systematic reviews or randomised controlled trials; RCT) were selected if considered use of botulinum toxin (BTX) either prophylactically or therapeutically, as an adjunct to dental implant therapy for temporomandibular disorders or for other maxillofacial conditions such as bruxism, masseteric hypertrophy, oromandibular dystonia or cervical dystonia. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Only studies with high levels of evidence were evaluated. Four RCT met the search criteria in the area of cervical dystonia and chronic facial pain. RESULTS: No RCT were identified that evaluated dental implant therapy along with use of BTX. Four RCT did meet the search criteria in the area of cervical dystonia and chronic facial pain. People who had cervical dystonia exhibited significant improvements in baseline functional, pain and global assessments compared with placebo, whereas individuals with chronic facial pain improved significantly compared with placebo in terms of pain. CONCLUSIONS: During the period of study, no references were found evaluating use of BTX in dental implantology. Nevertheless, it appears relatively safe and effective in treating cervical dystonia and chronic facial pain associated with masticatory hyperactivity.

Technology transfer in dentistry: a network resource for clinicians, scientists, manufacturers and patients.

This paper heralds a new initiative to improve the rate of implementation of new and existing technologies within dental practice. The rationale behind the establishment of the Technology Transfer Network in Dentistry is described and the aims and intentions of the network are laid out. The relevance of the network to practising clinicians, scientists and manufacturers is described.

1.2 Cognition and learning.

This theme is concerned with the relevance and efficacy of educational methods adopted in dental schools while recognizing the influence of geopolitical issues in different countries and regions. Particular emphasis will be given to examples of best practices and innovations. Cognition and learning are dealt with in many different research areas such as education, psychology, cognitive sciences, brain research, neurolinguistics, gender, etc. and comprise the theoretical foundation for the philosophies, principles and methods underlying the dental education system. Educational methods are many and mixed. This group has used existing knowledge, personal experiences and current literature together with some of the material from the DentEd visits.